Cyberpunk 2077 Beginner's Tips

My street kid v early in game. yeah, smile now buddy.

Big games can be daunting, especially big games with permanent decisions that affect how you play. Cyberpunk 2077 is one of those games, and this is one of those fun, handy lists that hopefully impart some basic knowledge that’ll improve your first playthrough.

Don’t Commit Early

Cyberpunk 2077 is a deep RPG with many layers. Early in the game, it’s hard to get a sense of all the things the main character, V, is capable of. She has access to every tool in her arsenal, can do and use everything the game has to offer, but we customize what she’s truly good at through attributes and perks. Attributes are general stats that augment V—body makes V harder to kill and do more damage with melee weapons, reflexes increase stamina and chances for critical hits—and each attribute has several perk trees that further refine V’s capabilities. Reflexes, for instance, has three perk trees, increasing her effectiveness with pistols, assault weapons, or blades. Some perks require higher attribute scores, meaning V can still be decent with a blade with a lower reflex score, but to be a master one has to commit. 

Increasing attributes is permanent, however, so though you might like the idea of being a swordmaster, actually doing it might not appeal to you. In the first handful of hours, take your time exploring different weapons and tactics to find what feels right. Street crimes, indicated by blue icons on the map, are perfect scenarios for experimentation. Take a look at the perk trees to get a sense of how you can build your character. Then, once you’re ready, dump your points and create your ideal cybernetic warrior. You get a total of about 56 attribute points, so you can plan to top out two at 20 or you can mix it up to your heart’s content. Perks can be bought back for a steep price, so if you find some weren’t as important as you thought for your build, you can at least redistribute those when your attributes are higher.

Spend Money on Cybernetics First

Once you’re set loose on the streets and start completing quests and jobs, eddies (eurodollars, the game’s currency) will start piling in and you’ll be drooling at the many, many ways to spend it. Before you drop a heap on some flashy wheels, stylish threads, or a beefy gun, don’t forget that it’s what’s inside that truly counts: cybernetics. 

Equipment always matters in an RPG, but having the right cybernetics has the biggest impact on how V performs second only to attributes and perks. My netrunner (cybernetic wizard) was pretty awful at combat hacking, even though I increased the proper attributes and perks, until I upgraded her CPU and installed some RAM-enhancing tech. Cybernetics can alter V’s health regeneration, speed up her reflexes so time appears to slow, carry more weight, jump like a superhero, and imbue other offensive and defensive bonuses and tactics. 

Visit multiple ripper-docs to get a sense of what’s available. Ripper-docs can change out cybernetics at any time, and once you own a piece of hardware it’s yours, so play around with your loadout as much as you like. 

Build your Credit. Street Cred.

Okay, so you took a look at a bunch of ripperdocs and gunstores and noticed lots of the good stuff is locked off. V doesn’t have much rep at the game’s onset, but build street cred by finishing quests and eliminating enemies and vendors will be more willing to offer you their best goods. Just another reason to fiddle around with those street crimes I mentioned.

Hacking makes for a Powerful but Slow Playstyle

I committed early to becoming the Gandalf of the cyberpunk world, overcoming obstacles by hacking systems and enemies, spreading mayhem in electronics and cybernetics from the shadows or as bullets whiz by my braincase. After some time, I realized how much slower and less bombastic a playstyle this was. Yes, it feels great causing an infectious weapons malfunction, short circuiting enemies to oblivion, or forcing an unfortunate thug to commit suicide by grenade, but as far as moment-to-moment play goes, it’s slow. Hacking itself pauses the action with a code-based puzzle minigame in order to lower enemy defenses for more devious effects. Not everyone will enjoy it. Mid-game, I find myself wishing from time to time I could rush out into the fray, katana in hand, chopping my opponents to bits as I move too fast for them to get a bead on me. Of course, I could have built a cybernetic Jedi, as good at swordplay as hacking. Instead, I buffed my tech attribute, making V good at using tech weapons, which can be charged up for massive damage and shoot through cover. She can handle herself better in open combat as long as she stays in cover, but hacking is still her main event.  

The point is, hacking is a unique aspect of Cyberpunk 2077 that might be an acquired taste. Try it out before you make it your go-to.

Save Often

I’m playing on a PS4. Yes, there are some issues. Nothing really bums me out other than the occasional crash, so, as any writer will tell you, save often and have multiple save files. Take advantage of the quicksave feature. Due to frequent autosaving, I almost never lose more than a minute or so of progress on a crash, but I’ve played enough Bethesda games on launch to know how to play it safe. With the report of corrupted saves as well, one can’t be too careful.

With that said, saving is also great for experimenting, so make that checkpoint and play around with stuff.

Do The Heist

After V’s prologue, dictated by the origin you choose at character creation, you’re given access to a closed-off area in the city until you complete the main quest “The Heist.” This is a good time to bust some crimes first to get a feel for the game, but it really opens up after this fantastic quest. Like most open-world games, Cyberpunk 2077 lets you tackle things at your own pace, but completing “The Heist” earlier will open up more questlines, more varied gear, and the entire map. You’ll also get a better sense of what’s at stake in the main narrative. Do it up.

All that in mind, have fun tearing through Night City in whichever way you choose. Get to it, chooms.